KEY POINTS:
Three helicopters were called in yesterday to help 80 firefighters battle a blaze in Coromandel bushland that threatened houses.
Fire Service northern communications centre spokesman Scott Osmond said the fire began at 10.15pm on Saturday at Te Kouma, about 5km south of Coromandel.
Three houses were evacuated and traffic was diverted. The fire was contained late yesterday morning.
- NZPA
